Dec. 12 Newsletter: Region chips in on Diamond District cost overruns
Weather: A chance for snow to return, but if it does, it'll likely be very minimal. High of 37.
On this date in 1983, Richmond Plasma Corp. is charged with eight counts of violating FDA regulations and defrauding the FDA, including falsifying blood bag weights.
Today's newsletter sponsored by Virginia Commonwealth University: As a top 20% global university, Virginia Commonwealth University is an unparalleled powerhouse of innovation and creative problem solving. VCU attacks challenges as opportunities. It's truly a university unlike any you’ve ever seen.
Regional group plans to pick up 80% of the current cost overruns on Diamond District project
The Central Virginia Transportation Authority, which is funded by regional taxes, is expected to pay 80% of the $12.9 million in cost overruns identified by the city.
According to the city, the funding gap was first identified in February, but it became clear in August that reducing the scope of the work wouldn’t be enough to make up the difference. Read more here.
Residential density dominates ongoing code refresh discussions
Much of the conversation surrounding Richmond’s ongoing overhaul of its 1970s-era zoning code has focused on residential neighborhoods, and especially the single-family residential neighborhoods that make up about 59% of the city.
“This is really important to us because code refresh is the city’s process to create more homes for more people,” the mayor's office said.
Richmond-area Democrats voting Sunday to pick nominee for vacant House seat
For the second Sunday in a row, some Democratic voters in the Richmond area will cast ballots in a firehouse primary to pick their party’s nominee for the Virginia General Assembly seat vacated last week by Mike Jones.
Competing for the seat are former Richmond City Council member Michelle Mosby, who is being backed by Mayor Danny Avula and much of the city’s political class, and attorney Charlie Schmidt, a progressive activist who previously worked for the Virginia chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union. Read more here.
RPS Teacher of the Year helped raise Fairfield Court's reading scores by 20 points
Tiffany Sneed’s mother had a simple request for her.
“Tiffany, when you get to Fairfield, teach them how to read,” she recalled her mother saying.
Sneed has done just that, efforts that were recognized with the Richmond Public Schools’ 2026 Teacher of the Year award. Read more here.
VUU’s accrediting probation lifted, accreditation ‘reaffirmed’
Virginia Union University said Wednesday that its regional accreditor has lifted a two-year probation and reaffirmed the school’s accreditation.
To meet the accreditor’s requirements, the school had pledged that it would continue to expand its business office and focus on “strengthening internal fiscal infrastructure.” Read more here.
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Virginia faces a severe shortage of health care professionals, with nearly half its neighborhoods lacking adequate primary care. VCU is uniquely positioned to help, as the state’s only academic health sciences center training students in nursing, medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, and public health. But these programs are expensive to sustain—requiring specialized faculty, clinical placements, and advanced equipment. Despite financial strain, VCU continues investing in this vital pipeline. Its commitment is essential to expanding access and strengthening Virginia’s health care system for future generations. Read more.
In other news
- More than 50 vehicle windows were smashed over the past two days in Shockoe
- Virginia approved for waiver to remove 'sweetened beverages' from SNAP (CBS 6)
- Tractor-trailer driver shot through door on I-95 South in Richmond (8News)
The editor's desk
Almost beat the snow out of town on Monday, but had to spend some bonus time on the airplane as it de-iced. Now I'm back — just in time for more snow, potentially.
Michael Phillips, founding editor
mphillips@richmonder.org
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